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The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan firms' net profit falls 10.2% in April-June, 1st drop in 3 yrs
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Major Japanese companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange saw their combined net profit for the April-June period fall 10.2 percent from a year earlier, the first drop in three years, with the manufacturing sector especially hard hit due to higher U.S. tariffs, a tally by a securities firm showed Friday. Net profit in the manufacturing sector fell 22.7 percent, with transport machinery makers including automakers tumbling 42.1 percent, according to SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. which released the survey as the earnings report season for the quarter came into full swing. Based on earnings forecasts by the companies and analysts, net profit for the business year ending March 2026 is also expected to slip for the first time in six years, it said. SMBC Nikko used earnings reports released as of Thursday by 823 firms, which account for about 70 percent of the companies listed on the top-tier Prime Market whose fiscal year ends in March. "Automakers stand out as a sector when looking at the effects of the tariffs" imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, said Hikaru Yasuda, SMBC Nikko's chief equity strategist, adding that the sector was also hit by weaker domestic sales. The appreciation of the yen against the U.S. dollar compared to the previous year also factored in the fall in the manufacturing industries such as the machinery sector where the combined net profit dropped 10.7 percent. The iron and steel sector logged red ink as it was pressured by inexpensive products from China. Meanwhile, an artificial intelligence boom led to a soar in profits in the chip sector, with electric appliance firms seeing an 18.2 percent climb. Net profit of construction companies rose 10.6 percent, with some of them benefitting from large contracts to build chip factories. The real estate sector saw a 30.4 percent jump in their net profit on the back of a continued rise in luxury condominium sales and rent hikes for office spaces.
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks open flat on Wall Street gains, weak chip issues
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks opened almost flat Thursday, as gains supported by advances on Wall Street overnight were offset by selling of semiconductor-related issues. In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 3.95 points, or 0.01 percent, from Wednesday to 40,798.81. The broader Topix index was up 3.47 points, or 0.12 percent, at 2,970.04. On the top-tier Prime Market, the main gainers were retail and insurance shares, while decliners were led by machinery and pharmaceutical issues. At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 147.18-20 yen compared with 147.30-40 yen in New York and 147.55-57 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The euro was quoted at $1.1662-1663 and 171.64-71 yen against $1.1655-1665 and 171.72-82 yen in New York and $1.1581-1582 and 170.88-92 yen in Tokyo late Wednesday afternoon.
The Mainichi
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks end slightly lower before election, earnings season
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended slightly lower after directionless trading Wednesday, as many investors took to the sidelines ahead of the House of Councillors election on the weekend and the start of the earnings season later this month. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 14.62 points, or 0.04 percent, from Tuesday at 39,663.40. The broader Topix index finished 5.91 points, or 0.21 percent, lower at 2,819.40. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by real estate, pulp and paper and securities house issues. The U.S. dollar remained firm in Tokyo after hitting a three-month high of 149.03 yen in New York overnight on receding expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve following higher-than-expected inflation data for June, dealers said. Stocks swung between positive and negative territory throughout the day amid growing caution as recent media polls have shown that the ruling parties are facing an uphill battle in Sunday's election and could lose their majority in the upper house, brokers said. "The Nikkei's 40,000 mark has been perceived by investors as a psychological barrier over the past two weeks," said Maki Sawada, a strategist at the Investment Content Department of Nomura Securities Co. "It's difficult for investors to keep buying ahead of the major events, with the earnings season starting after the upper house election," she said. Meanwhile, heavyweight semiconductor-related shares drew buying after major Dutch chip equipment maker ASML Holding N.V. released solid earnings in the afternoon.
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Acquisition of Majority Shares in PEACEMIND Inc. (to Make It a Subsidiary) and Capital and Business Alliance
TOKYO, JAPAN, July 8th, 2025, FinanceWire TANABE CONSULTING GROUP CO.,LTD. (Headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka and Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Takahiko Wakamatsu; listed on TSE Prime Market; Stock Code: 9644; hereinafter "the Company"), at the Board of Directors meeting held on May 26, 2025, resolved to acquire a majority stake in PEACEMIND Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, CEO: Hideto Ogiwara; hereinafter "PEACEMIND") to make it a subsidiary, and to enter into a capital and business alliance with the company, and announces this decision. PEACEMIND is a pioneer in Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services industry in Japan, celebrating its 27th year since establishment. Under its vision of "creating a 'Hataraku wo Yoku Suru* ecosystem' to fill society with vibrant people and workplaces," the company provides consulting services for "working people and organizations" to approximately 1,400 companies, primarily large enterprises. The company employs approximately 100 professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, public health nurses, industrial counselors, CEAP (Certified Employee Assistance Professionals), career consultants, and certified psychologists. Additionally, PEACEMIND has numerous bilingual counselors (including partner counselors) on staff. The company's activities extend beyond Japan, with partnership networks spanning 14 countries and global coverage across more than 200 countries and regions. PEACEMIND leverages its high level of expertise through experienced counselors and consultants well-versed in psychology and behavioral science, providing comprehensive solutions to employees, management, and organizations. These solutions include EAP, Stress Check-up Service, training and development programs, harassment prevention support, leave and return-to-work support, occupational health support services, and wellness programs—all designed to create a "Hataraku wo Yoku Suru ecosystem." *"Hataraku wo Yoku Suru" is a registered trademark of PEACEMIND Inc. in Japan, meaning "working better." The company's proprietary digital platform, "Working Better Cloud (WBC)," features integrated organizational management functions that provide one-stop counseling services and Stress Check-up Service, for employees, supporting the performance optimization of working people and their organizations. 1. Main Services Provided by PEACEMIND (1) EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Specialists such as clinical psychologists and certified psychologists provide counseling and consulting services to support problem-solving for individual employees and organizations. (2) Stress Check-up Service Comprehensive support from stress check implementation through organizational analysis to organizational improvement consulting. (3) Learning and Development Programs Providing training programs designed for human resource development and creating vibrant teams and workplaces. (4) Harassment Prevention Support Comprehensive support from current situation assessment through harassment case resolution, prevention, and recurrence prevention. (5) Medical Leave and Return-to-Work Support Specialists collaborate with HR personnel, managers, and occupational health staff to support smooth workplace reintegration for employees on mental health leave and stable employment and performance after return to work. (6) Crisis Support Support for early recovery of employees and organizational performance when unexpected crises such as disasters or workplace accidents occur. (7) Occupational Health Support Services Strengthening mental health measures and improving efficiency of occupational health operations through collaboration between occupational physicians and EAP. (8) Wellness Programs Leveraging global networks to utilize cutting-edge wellness program knowledge from around the world, supporting employee physical and mental health improvement and creating vibrant workplaces. (9) "Hataraku wo Yoku Suru" e-Learning Series Mental health prevention solutions for "working people" and "organizations" developed under supervision of mental health specialists, based on numerous consultation cases and latest workplace issues. 2. Capital Alliance Details The Company plans to acquire PEACEMIND's common shares through purchase from existing shareholders and subscription to third-party allotment of new shares by the company. Following this share acquisition, the Company is expected to hold 54.9% of PEACEMIND's total issued shares. 3. Rationale for Share Acquisition and Capital and Business Alliance The Company will enter the "Corporate Well-being Market." Corporate well-being refers to initiatives that focus on employees' physical and mental health, aiming to improve happiness at work and workplace environments, and solving organizational and individual employee issues through various measures. The market size in Japan is expected to reach approximately 117 billion yen by 2033*, and the Company anticipates continued growth as corporate interest and needs further increase. The capital and business alliance between TANABE CONSULTING GROUP, a pioneer in management consulting in Japan, and PEACEMIND, a pioneer in EAP services in Japan, will enable the Company to provide world-class professional services and proprietary management consulting services to large and mid-sized enterprises. This will enable multifaceted and comprehensive approaches to address issues in human resources/human capital—a challenge for both society and management—including talent strategy, human resource development, HR systems, DE&I organizational development, health management, workplace environment, and individual employee problem-solving, thereby delivering value that enhances organizational performance. *Reference: IMARC Group "Japan Corporate Wellness Market 2025-2033" 4. Capital and Business Alliance to Advance Group Vision In the Company's medium-term management plan (2021-2025) "TCG Future Vision 2030," the Company aims to "create a proprietary management consulting model" that provides comprehensive support from management strategy formulation to implementation through professional DX services for large enterprises to small and medium-sized companies, with a focus on upper mid-sized companies. There are a few examples of corporate well-being specialists joining management consulting groups. This alliance will strengthen the Company's "HR Consulting" capabilities within the Company's management consulting domain. Additionally, the implementation of PEACEMIND's "Hataraku wo Yoku Suru Platform—Working Better Cloud (WBC)" system will enable the Company to provide new "Professional DX Services." This creates particularly strong synergies with the "DE&I" and "Women's Career Advancement Research Institute" value propositions offered by Surpass, which joined the Group last year, enabling sustainable growth and social value creation. Together with the Company's group companies—Tanabe Consulting (strategy and management consulting), Leading Solutions (B2B digital marketing), Growin' Partners (comprehensive M&A support including cross-border transactions and back-office BPR/DX support), Jaythree (branding and CX design), Kartz Media Works (strategic PR domestically and internationally), and Surpass (DE&I organizational development)—the Company's proprietary corporate value of "diverse professional talent" will maximize group synergies through our "co-creation model" to solve strategic challenges faced by corporate top management. 5. Executive Comments (1) PEACEMIND Inc. Representative Director, CEO Hideto Ogiwara "As a pioneer in EAP services in Japan and Asia, PEACEMIND has advanced our 'Hataraku wo Yoku Suru' business under the mission of 'solving workplace challenges and creating a prosperous future for working people.' In the evolving market environment in Japan, maximizing limited human capital and achieving sustainable growth requires enhancing the well-being of working people and organizations—a critical management agenda. Collaborating with the Company, management consulting pioneer in Japan, will create powerful synergies with top management approach consulting, enabling us to strengthen and accelerate support for companies and working people. We look forward to creating new high added value through this unprecedented partnership between a management consulting firm and an employee well-being support company that is unparalleled in the world. We will continue advancing our vision of 'filling society with vibrant people and workplaces' by guiding clients toward their ideal state for working people and organizations." (2) TANABE CONSULTING GROUP CO.,LTD. Representative Director, President and CEO Takahiko Wakamatsu "We are delighted to achieve this unprecedented capital and business alliance in the management consulting industry between TANABE CONSULTING GROUP called management consulting pioneer in Japan since 1957, and PEACEMIND, called the EAP services pioneer in Japan and Asia. This brings us another step closer to 'Toward the One & Only Management Consulting Group in the World.' By entering the 'Corporate Well-being Market,' we will provide HR and organizational consulting that advances human capital management and enhances people and organizational well-being through the Company's approximately 900 professional organization (50:50 gender ratio DE&I organization). The high-level integration of TANABE CONSULTING GROUP's purpose 'Supporting decisions with love, changing the world' and PEACEMIND's vision of 'creating a Hataraku wo Yoku Suru ecosystem to fill society with vibrant people and workplaces' will certainly enhance well-being of people and organizations across large to mid-sized enterprises and small to medium-sized companies. We also look forward to increased co-creation value across all our management consulting domains and Group companies. We will continue advancing 'everything for client success and a bright future.'" PEACEMIND Inc. Company Profiles Company Name: PEACEMIND Inc. Representative: Representative Director, CEO Hideto Ogiwara Establishment: September 1998 (Incorporated: March 2004) Capital: 90.25 million yen Total Employees: 98 (as of April 1, 2025) Headquarters: Maruito-Ginza #3 Bldg. 8F, 3-10-6, Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo HP: TANABE CONSULTING GROUP CO.,LTD. Company Profiles Company Name: TANABE CONSULTING GROUP CO.,LTD. Representative: Representative Director, President and CEO Takahiko Wakamatsu Establishment: October 16, 1957 Net Sales: 14.54 billion yen (FY March 2025) Capital: 1.772 billion yen Total Employees: 809 (Group total, as of May 1, 2025) Stock Exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market Contact Takahiko Wakamatsu
The Mainichi
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Tokyo stocks end lower amid caution over U.S. tariffs
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended lower Monday as investors cautiously waited for developments over U.S. tariffs after President Donald Trump said letters with new unilateral rates will be sent to some countries this week. The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 223.20 points, or 0.56 percent, from Friday at 39,587.68. The broader Topix index finished 16.23 points, or 0.57 percent, lower at 2,811.72. On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by bank, nonferrous metal and iron and steel issues. The U.S. dollar climbed to the lower 145 yen range in Tokyo after directionless trading in the absence of fresh trading cues, dealers said. The Nikkei stock index traded mostly lower as many investors refrained from trading actively amid uncertainty over whether Japan is among the countries the letters are to be sent to this week, with a pause on so-called reciprocal tariffs set to expire on Wednesday. "President Trump may be reluctant to reduce tariff rates" as he needs to secure revenues through levies after his tax cut bill was passed by Congress, said Masahiro Yamaguchi, head of investment research at SMBC Trust Bank. "The market's current atmosphere appears a bit optimistic, thus facing the risk of a sharp slide," he added. The market was also dragged down by concern over the adverse impact of U.S. tariffs on the performance of Japanese companies as robotics company Yaskawa Electric tumbled after revising down on Friday its earnings outlook for the business year through February, citing demand uncertainty.
